Arm accessory and method of use

ABSTRACT

An arm accessory and method of use is provided that, in some embodiments, provides for an adjustable arm band compression configured for use on an arm, wherein the adjustable arm band compression has at least one hook and loop attachment element, and wherein the present invention further comprises an approximately wedge shaped element, the wedge shaped element also having at least one hook and loop attachment element. In an embodiment of the method, a user may connect the wedge to the and throw a ball, wherein the shape and placement of the wedge prevents the user&#39;s arm from traveling at certain angles relative to the user&#39;s shoulder. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for a band instead of or in combination with the arm band.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of arm accessories and more specifically relates to an arm accessory that restricts a user's range of motion and method of using the same.

BACKGROUND

Many sports involve throwing a ball “overhand,” which generally refers to a motion where the arm is swung above hip level and wherein the ball is generally positioned below the user's palm at the point of release. While overhand throwing generates the most force behind the ball, and is therefore the desired motion in such sports, it causes strain on the user's shoulder.

A shoulder can enable many different throwing angles, and some throwing motions create more strain on the shoulder than others. More specifically, if an arm path is generated where the elbow angle is greater than 100 degrees of flexion (bend) at the moment of the acceleration phase of throwing, the stress on the ulnar collateral ligament is greatly increased. As such, a convenient solution is needed that prevents such arm angles, while also enabling normal throwing or hitting motions.

Various attempts to solve this problem have been made. One such attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0305827, which generally discloses an accessory having cuffs and a waist-worn tension system designed to prevent the user from certain motions. However, while this disclosure does provide for restraints on motion, its complicated and cumbersome design prevents it from being truly useful.

Another attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Patent Application No. 2010/0312160, which generally discloses an arm compression device. While this disclosure does provide for a certain amount of arm restriction, it does nothing to prevent the shoulder from reaching certain angles during a throwing motion.

Another attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0253527, which generally discloses an athletic training device. While this disclosure does provide for a means to restrict the rotating angle during a throwing motion, this disclosure only provides for an arm rather than an adjustable band.

Yet another attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,002, which generally discloses an arm-mounted restriction device that prevents an arm from reaching certain angles while throwing. While this disclosure does provide arm and shoulder protection to specified angles, and it is designed for athletic training, it fails to provide for a simple and easy to use solution, as well as one that would be suitable for a batting situation as well.

Various attempts have been made to solve the problems which may be found in the related art but have thus far been unsuccessful. A need exists for a new arm accessory that restricts a user's range of motion to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that in the present disclosure, all embodiments are provided as illustrative and non-limiting representatives of many possible embodiments. In addition, the terms “is,” “can,” “will,” and the like are herein used as synonyms for and interchangeable with terms such as “may,” “may provide for,” and “it is contemplated that the present invention may” and so forth.

Furthermore, all elements listed by name, such as a wedge, band, etc., are herein meant to include or encompass all equivalents for such elements. For example, in addition to a “cup”, any cup-shaped or fluid-retaining element is also contemplated by the present invention. Such equivalents are contemplated for each element named in its particular herein.

The present invention relates to an arm accessory that restricts a user's range of motion that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is contemplated that the present invention may provide an arm accessory that restricts a user's range of motion.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention are provided herein. It is to be understood that not all such aspects, advantages, or novel features may be provided in any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one aspect, advantage, or novel feature or group of features without achieving all aspects, advantages, or novel features as may be taught or suggested.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known art, the present invention provides a novel arm accessory. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an arm accessory that restricts a user's range of motion, so as to prevent injuries and enable better athletic performance. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

In some embodiments, the present invention may comprise at least one limb attachment element, such as an adjustable band, at least one motion restriction element, such as a pad shaped approximately as a wedge, and at least one hook and loop attachment element on both one or more sides of the wedge and on one or more sides of the adjustable band, wherein the at least one hook and loop attachment element is configured to removably secure the foam wedge to the adjustable band. In some embodiments, the adjustable band may cover part or all of a forearm, part or all of an upper arm, or portions of both a forearm and an upper arm. Additionally, in some embodiments, the adjustable band may extend to cover the back of a hand and provide for one or more thumb or finger holes. In some embodiments, the adjustable band may partially or entirely be a compression band.

Accordingly, an arm accessory and method of use is provided herein that, in some embodiments, provides for an adjustable band compression configured for use on an arm, wherein the adjustable band compression has at least one hook and loop attachment element, and wherein the present invention further comprises an approximately wedge shaped element, the wedge shaped element also having at least one hook and loop attachment element. In an embodiment of the method, a user may connect the wedge to the adjustable band and throw a ball, wherein the shape and placement of the wedge prevents the user's arm from traveling at certain angles relative to the user's shoulder. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for a band instead of or in combination with the adjustable arm band.

In some embodiments, the wedge may be foam, whereas in some embodiments the wedge may be plastic, gel, elastomer, neoprene, graphite, carbon fiber, any combination of such elements, or any element known in the art to provide a barrier to the travel of an arm.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the band element may be one piece and have stretch properties. In some embodiments, the band element may have two sides that connect using either a hook and loop attachment element, a strap and buckle element, or any other element known in the relevant arts that enable two sides of an element to attach over a body part. Additionally, the adjustable band may be configured of any size to fit on any body part of any human or animal. It is contemplated that in some sizes or embodiments, the present invention may have other uses, such as rehabilitation or movement support, and may configured for such a purpose.

In some embodiments, the present invention may comprise an adjustable arm band compression that covers a forearm at and upper arm or an adjustable elastic band that wraps around the upper arm just above the elbow. In addition, there will be a strip of Velcro is integrated into the adjustable band where a foam pad that has Velcro can be placed in the proper location for either the throwing motion or hitting motion.

In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for an arm accessory that restricts a user's range of motion comprising an adjustable arm band that has a foam pad attached to it that helps athletes achieve the proper elbow angle while they are pitching or throwing a ball. Additionally, the adjustable arm band and foam pad can also be used for hitting drills. By putting the band around the upper arm and positioning the foam pad a certain way, it can be compressed between the side of the user's body and their upper arm.

To use the present invention, the user puts the adjustable band on their throwing arm, and then they attach the foam pad in the optimal location so that when they bend their elbow, their forearm touches the pad when the elbow angle is at greater than 90 degrees. As the user engages their arm in a throwing motion, they get to the point where they start the acceleration phase of the throwing motion. From here, the user will feel their forearm against the pad letting them know their elbow is at the proper angle before accelerating their arm through their delivery.

In some embodiments, the present invention may also be used during hitting, so that users can attach the arm band farther up on the arm and rotate the foam pad accordingly, so that they compress the pad during the swinging motion.

The present invention also enables users to find or consistently use the proper arm path. If the user displays an arm path where the elbow angle is greater than 100 degrees of flexion (bend) at the moment of the acceleration phase of throwing, the stress on the ulnar collateral ligament is greatly increased. When a thrower utilizes the present invention with the solid foam pad to prevent them from getting too much elbow flexion angle during the acceleration phase, they will decrease the stress on the ulnar collateral ligament greatly.

By utilizing the present invention's adjustable band embodiment, both embodiments incorporating the foam pad, the user will feel when the proper elbow angle is achieved during the throwing motion. Because in some embodiments the present invention may provide for an adjustable band compression, the user can remove the foam pad and continue to throw. They can also keep the adjustable band on after throwing to aide in the recovery process. If the user doesn't want to use the present invention's adjustable arm band embodiment, they can easily attach the elastic band embodiment to the upper arm and attach the foam pad to it to achieve the same training effect.

The unique features of the present invention may provide the following benefits for one or more consumers: it may create the proper elbow angle during the throwing motion; it may provide for differently-sized embodiments that may cater to all body types; and it may enable users to experience decreased stress on their throwing shoulder and elbow during their throwing motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of an arm accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top-exploded perspective view of an arm accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a method of using an arm accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective arm accessory and method of using the same.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific detail. Well known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

Turning attention to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of an arm accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive wedge 101 an adjustable arm band 102.

With respect to FIG. 2, a top-exploded perspective view of an arm accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive an adjustable arm band 102 hook and loop attachment element 201, as well as wedge 101, and arm.

FIG. 3 shows a method of using an arm accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown, a user may throw a baseball 501, wherein the user's throwing motion is restricted by wedge 101 and arm band 301.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112.

While the arm accessory and method of using the same generally described herein has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An arm accessory, comprising: at least one limb attachment element; at least one first hook and loop element fixedly connected to the at least one limb attachment element; at least one motion restriction element; and at least one second hook and loop element fixedly connected to the at least one motion restriction attachment element.
 2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the motion restriction element is a wedge.
 3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the limb attachment element is an adjustable arm band.
 4. A method of using an arm accessory, comprising: providing at least one limb attachment element; providing at least one first hook and loop element fixedly connected to the at least one limb attachment element; providing at least one motion restriction element; providing at least one second hook and loop element fixedly connected to the at least one motion restriction attachment element; attaching the at least one limb attachment element to an arm; attaching the at least one first hook and loop element to the at least one second hook and loop element; and throwing an item such as a ball using the arm. 